Marina had always known that Lena had a special talent for showing up at the worst possible moments — as if she had some kind of radar for bad timing. Today was no exception. Marina was buried in a critical management report when the door slammed open and a familiar voice echoed through the hallway.

“Igorek, I’m here! Mom’s nagging me again with her lectures.”

Igor looked up from his laptop and smiled — that warm, automatic smile he always wore whenever his younger sister was mentioned. Marina pressed her lips together. Twenty-six years old, and Lena was still “the little girl” who came running to her brother every time life gave her the slightest discomfort.

“Hi, Lenka,” Igor stood to greet her. “What happened this time?”

“She’s been on my case again: ‘When will you get married? When will you settle down and get a real job?’ I’m trying to find myself! Not everyone is born with a clear calling, like some people,” Lena added, glancing not-so-subtly at Marina, who didn’t look up from her laptop.

“Okay, sit down. Want some tea?” Igor headed to the kitchen.

“I do. Oh, and I have news! I’ve decided to become a lashmaker. I found some great courses — they’re kind of pricey though…”

Marina exhaled through her nose, slowly. Over the past three years, Lena had dabbled in makeup artistry, manicures, hair styling, even barista classes. Each time, Igor paid for the courses. Each time, Lena dropped out halfway through, claiming the program didn’t inspire her.

“How much?” Igor asked without hesitation.

“Thirty thousand. But it’s an investment in my future!”

Marina clenched her teeth. Thirty thousand rubles — about a third of her previous monthly salary — and Lena tossed it around like it was pocket change.

“I’ll transfer it tomorrow,” Igor said without blinking.

“You’re the best!” Lena threw her arms around him. “And how are you guys doing? Marina, aren’t you overworking yourself again?”

“Fine,” Marina replied, eyes fixed on her screen.

In truth, things were far from fine. She’d been working overtime for the better part of a year, rewriting reports, pulling late nights, sacrificing weekends — all for one goal: a long-anticipated promotion to Sales Department Manager. Management had practically confirmed it in December. But then came January… then February. No news. The director had vaguely mentioned delays due to a late client deal.

Meanwhile, Lena had enrolled in the lash course, only to quit a month later. The instructor was “uninspiring,” and Lena decided she’d “learn better through YouTube and intuition.” Soon after, she got interested in becoming a travel blogger. Then she toyed with the idea of being a beauty consultant.

Igor funded every whim, with only the gentlest requests for follow-through.

In March, Marina finally saw her efforts pay off. She closed a complex deal with a major client — a two-year contract that boosted the company's prestige. The next day, the director called her in.

“Marina Sergeevna, congratulations! Effective April 1, you are officially our new Sales Department Manager.”

Her heart thudded in her chest.

“And as a token of appreciation, we’re awarding you a seven-day, five-star trip to Turkey. All-inclusive. You’ve earned it.”

She nearly wept in the director’s office. A promotion, a bonus, and recognition — it felt like winning the lottery after a year of relentless work.

Back at the office, her colleagues threw a small party with cake and congratulations. For the first time in months, Marina felt truly seen.

She rushed home, hoping to share her joy. But the moment she stepped inside, she saw Lena lounging on the couch.

“Our workaholic returns!” Lena chirped, flipping a magazine. “Igor’s in the shower.”

“Lena, I have news!” Marina said, beaming.

“Hm?”

“I got promoted! I’m officially Sales Manager! And I got a vacation trip to Turkey as a reward!”

Lena looked up briefly.

“Nice. When are you going?”

Igor emerged and swept Marina into a hug.

“That’s amazing! I’m so proud of you, sweetheart!”

Lena offered a slow clap.

“Cool. I’d love a vacation too. Honestly, I’m so done with being stuck in this city. Hey Igor, I finished my lash course. Think I should start practicing — could you buy me supplies?”

“Of course. Make a list.”

Marina shook her head silently. Even on the biggest day of her career, the spotlight veered back to Lena.

Weekends blurred together. Marina dreamed of resting, but Lena kept arriving — always with new ideas, always needing Igor’s attention. One Sunday night, Marina finally confronted her husband.

“Igor, we need to talk.”

“About what?”

“Your sister. She’s here too often.”

“She’s bored at home.”

“She’s twenty-six, Igor. She needs to grow up.”

“She’s trying to find herself.”

“At our expense?”

“She’s family. If I can help, why shouldn’t I?”

Marina dropped it — there was no use arguing when Igor was like this.

By Tuesday, Lena was back.

“Mom’s on my case again. She says I’m wasting my life.”

“Well, is she wrong?” Marina asked calmly.

Lena’s head snapped toward her.

“I’m trying things! That’s more than most people do.”

“Try finishing one of them.”

“You want me to rot in a job I hate?”

The jab was clear. Marina stood up and left the room. The next few days passed in silence — until Friday, when Lena reappeared with puffy eyes.

“I have depression,” she announced. “Everything’s going wrong. I think I’m having a midlife crisis.”

“At twenty-six?” Marina asked, stunned.

“Crises aren’t limited to people over thirty!” Lena snapped.

Igor comforted her. “Maybe a trip would help? A break from it all?”

“I’d love to go to the sea. But I’m broke.”

Marina saw it coming.

That evening, Igor looked troubled.

“She’s really suffering,” he told Marina.

“She needs to stand on her own two feet.”

“But she’s lost.”

“So I’m supposed to sacrifice for her again?”

The next morning, Igor brought Marina coffee in bed.

“Honey, I need to talk. I gave your Turkey trip to Lena. She needs it more right now.”

The words hit like a slap.

“You did what?”

“She needs a reset. And you just got promoted — you’re busy anyway.”

“You gave away my reward? My recognition?”

“I thought you’d understand…”

Marina stood, heart pounding.

“You made that decision for me. You think that’s okay?”

“She’s my sister.”

“And I’m your wife.”

The argument exploded. Igor kept saying “it’s just a vacation.” Marina kept saying, “It was my reward.” Finally, she went to the computer.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Booking myself a trip. To Bali. Ten days. Triple the cost. From our joint account.”

“That’s unreasonable!”

“No. What’s unreasonable is treating me like I don’t matter.”

She booked the ticket. Then she turned to him.

“From now on, if you make decisions for me without me, I’ll compensate the damage as I see fit. And Igor — either set boundaries with Lena, or we get a divorce.”

Silence.

“I’ll talk to her,” he said finally.

Marina flew to Bali. Ten days of rest, sun, and peace. And something else: clarity. Her life was hers.

When she returned, Igor met her with flowers and a letter.

“Forgive me. I was wrong. Lena won’t interfere again. You deserve better.”

And she got better. Lena started visiting only once a week — no more begging for money, no more drama. And Igor? He finally saw his wife — not just as the steady one, but as the person who fought for what she deserved.

And that changed everything.